The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been postponed just days after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the crossing connecting Ontario and Michigan would open by the end of this week. The Crown corporation overseeing the $6.4-billion cable-stayed bridge confirmed Thursday morning that Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening to resolve outstanding issues. Multiple sources have confirmed that organizers have also canceled a ribbon-cutting ceremony that had been scheduled for Friday.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be a vital economic link for Canada and the United States,” said Chuck Andary, interim CEO and chief legal officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, in a news release Thursday morning. “As we work towards an opening date, we are taking a collaborative approach, reflecting our shared ambition for this trade corridor. Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues. We appreciate the efforts of workers on both sides of the border to get the bridge to its current state of readiness.”
Earlier this week, conflicting reports circulated about whether the long-awaited bridge would officially open to traffic on Friday following a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With most construction work completed, the bridge’s final push toward opening has been clouded by questions about its future after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in February to block the crossing unless Canada agreed to renegotiate aspects of the agreement.
“The reasons aren’t given publicly, but I have to presume the White House intervened,” said former Ontario finance minister and deputy premier Dwight Duncan. “It’s unfortunate, but the bridge is ready to go. It’s finished, and this is an unnecessary and unfortunate delay. Trump made comments or tweeted to the effect that they don’t need any imports from Canada. That is certainly not the view of the hundreds of Americans involved in this process — the auto industry, food industry, and various other industries excited about the opening of this bridge. It’s just another setback, and we’ll have to continue to persevere.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, a vocal proponent of Canada not accepting a bad trade deal just to get the bridge open, reaffirmed that message Thursday. “Although we would all like the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open, Canada need not fall on bent knee to make it happen,” Dilkens said. “Get us a great trade deal, Prime Minister Carney.”
The 2.5-kilometre span includes six traffic lanes and a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge is expected to add a vital third crossing between Windsor and Detroit, one of North America’s busiest trade corridors where approximately $130 billion worth of trade already travels across the border annually.
